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I hate to disagree with Mr Ironhorseman on the mag-lev systems as I usually find myself more in tune with his than not. The attraction and repulsion are two distinct and seperate systems. In the attraction system, the electro-magnet is in the actual vehicle so that the attraction forces are stronger the closer the electro-magnet is to the rail, this means the current must be constant to keep the air cushion between a 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch to balance the weight of the vehicle. However, due to the movement of the vehicle there is a possibility of the air gap decreasing and the attraction forces increasing causing the vehicle to become 'glued' to the rail making this system very unstable. <br />In the repulsion system however, there are two magnetic fields one caused by a coil and the other created by the vehicle travelling on the rails. In this case, the vehicle floats 1 to 4 inches above the track. This makes this system very stable because, if the vehicle rises, the force of repulsion decreases and the trains on weight returns to a position of equilibrium and if the train descends the force of repulsion increases and acts as a spring. <br />The problem putting this type of system into service is to find materials that will ensure electrical conductivity necessary to provide the substantial electromagnetic fields to levitate the tran over any distance. <br />Since metallurgy is improving every day, I'm sure someone will find the answer just as they did for the early jet engines. <br />
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